Children's home run by Life Change Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 1 Registered provider: Life Change Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This private children’s home provides care for up to three children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Inspection dates: 5 March and 20 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 17 September 2024

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Inspection dates: 5 March and 20 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection dates: 5 March and 20 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection took place on 5 March 2025 and an inspector then returned on 20 March 2025 to gather additional evidence. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved in and then out of the home. This transition out of the home was arranged in line with the child’s care plan and their expressed wishes. However, there were some significant challenges due to the home’s distance from the child’s hometown, which contributed to the child being missing from home for a prolonged period. Staff also did not have access to comprehensive information regarding the child at the time of their arrival. As a result, the child was not suitably matched with the needs and dynamics of the other children in the home. This led to disruptions in the home and additional strain on staff in managing relationships and safeguarding risks.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have a good understanding of arrangements for children to keep in touch with people who are important to them. They work with professionals to review arrangements to ensure that these are positive experiences for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff actively promote and support children’s education. When there are barriers to learning, staff provide informal learning activities in the home. In addition, staff work closely with schools to ensure that children receive the help that they need to continue with their learning. This gives children the opportunity to improve their educational outcomes.

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Findings from the inspection

When children have gone missing from the home, the registered manager and staff have taken appropriate action to find them and encourage them to return home, in line with procedures. Children can speak to someone independent of the home on their return.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are clear about the risks posed to the children. The children’s plans are reviewed, considering emerging risks, and there is guidance for staff to follow to help them to keep the children safe. Staff respond well to incidents, which have reduced since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff promote positive relationships between children and create an environment where mutual respect and cooperation are encouraged. Structured individual routines and group activities support relationship development, while staff act as positive role models in guiding children to resolve conflicts constructively. Key- work sessions enable children to express their feelings and develop an understanding of others. As a result, a culture of acceptance is beginning to ensure that children feel valued and safe in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular supervision in line with the home’s policy, providing opportunities to discuss their roles and any immediate concerns. However, these sessions do not always allow staff to fully reflect on their practice or explore ways to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 3 develop their skills further. As a result, some staff may not consistently benefit from supervision as a tool for professional growth and learning.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has made improvements to her oversight and monitoring of the home. There are appropriate tools in place to audit and oversee the running of the home, which helps the registered manager to identify areas of good practice and areas that still require improvement.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has reviewed staff recruitment files to identify where there are gaps in employment histories. Additionally, an electronic system has been established to identify where these gaps are in the recruitment records. However, the manager has not yet taken sufficient action to ensure that there are explanations for each gap. During the inspection, the manager did start to address these shortfalls with individual staff members. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/08/2023 Full Good 26/09/2022 Full Good 15/12/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the provider must ensure that when children move into the home, staff are provided with care and placement plans that set out clear expectations of how children must be cared for in the home. 5 June 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place to ensure that when staff receive supervision, these sessions are reflective and structured. Staff should be given the opportunity to regularly reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that recruitment of staff supports safe practice and minimises potential risks to children. This directly relates to the full exploration of gaps in employment histories. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Life Change Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 47 Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT

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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Louise Redfern, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2543640 7 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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